RESEARCH & COMMERCIALIZATION GRANTS HELP BRING PRODUCTS TO MARKET
Taft awards Third Frontier grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today awarded Ohio Research and Commercialization Grants totaling $1.9 million to help eleven Ohio companies bring high-tech products to market. The Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program awards are part of the Third Frontier Project.

“Ohio’s innovators turn great ideas into marketable products,” said Taft. “The ability of companies to commercialize new products and create new jobs is critical to the future success of Ohio’s economy.”

The Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program was created to support commercializing new products and services derived from three federal programs: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and Advanced Technology Program (ATP). The program seeks to improve the ability of small technology companies to assess and realize the commercial potential of their research projects and to promote their competitiveness.

The Third Frontier Commission awarded the grants through a highly competitive process. To qualify, companies receiving awards must have their principal place of business in Ohio and have, over the last two years, received federal funding through the SBIR, STTR or ATP. The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) administers the grants.

“Today’s award recipients are developing technologies and products that are making them industry leaders,” said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as State Development Director and Chair of the Third Frontier Commission. “Through initiatives like the Third Frontier, we are reclaiming Ohio’s culture of innovation.”

The companies receiving grants for 2005 are:

NexTech Materials, Ltd. – This Lewis Center (Delaware County) company is receiving a $175,000 grant for the commercialization of their fuel cell technology. The overall objective of the project is the development of a low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell for portable electronic devices, emergency generator and automotive applications, and residential heat and power units.

Hyper Tech Research, Inc. – Located in Troy (Miami County), this company will use its $174,756 grant towards commercialization of its magnesium diboride coils. The first application will be wire for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coils, followed by power utility transformers.

Imaging Systems Technology – This Toledo (Lucas County) company has developed a new concept for producing flexible, flat panel plasma displays using “Plasma-spheres” for the pixel elements. Because of an ability to withstand harsh and rugged conditions, this concept has potential military and large signage applications. The company will use its $175,000 grant to develop manufacturing techniques for screens, file patents for the products, present the technology at investor conferences and join the U.S. Display Consortium.

Creative Action LLC – This Akron (Summit County) company developed Memory Magic, an intervention game that reduces behavior problems and increases social engagement between leaders and patients with a variety of dementia problems. The $175,000 grant will be used to manufacture the game, develop marketing strategies, and conduct evaluations of the game.

Webcore Technologies, Inc. – A $175,000 grant was awarded to this Dayton (Montgomery County) company for the commercialization of TYCOR, a material the company created that can be used as the core in lightweight, composite sandwich structures, primarily as a replacement for balsa, PVC foam or honeycomb. The initial market for this product is the boating industry, specifically for the hull and other structural elements. The grant will be used to provide technical support; implement quality standards in the manufacturing process and expand sales and marketing of the product.

BIOMEC, Inc. – This Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) company is developing a biomimetic polymer coating that controls blood coagulation and inflammatory responses that commonly occur when foreign surfaces are placed within the body. The polymer will be used to coat circulatory devices, such as blood pumps, before they are placed in the body. The $173,802 grant will be used to help BIOMEC conduct a detailed market analysis, identify possible distribution partners, conduct further testing of the coating and apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval.

Mound Laser and Photonics Center, Inc. – A $174,673 grant was awarded to this Miamisburg (Montgomery County) company for the commercialization of its laser-based micromachining techniques. The company has developed three major business services: laser marking, laser micromachining and laser welding. These services are used for manufacturing precision components ranging from medical devices to military equipment. The commercial market being targeted is the medical device manufacturing industry. The grant will be used to market the company’s services, as well as to develop a training, internship and apprenticeship program.

Applied Sciences, Inc. – Located in Cedarville (Greene County), this company will use its $174,657 grant towards the commercialization of its carbon nanofiber production capabilities, for incorporation into composite structures for aircraft. The company’s carbon nanofibers offer superior electrical conductivity and structural properties. The funds will help prepare marketing materials, and prepare samples for customers.

Orbital Research – This Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) company is developing a dry electrode used in electrocardiographs (ECG) and other cardiovascular disease diagnostic devices that eliminates the need for gel or electrolyte solution between the patient and the electrode. The $174,990 grant will be used to conduct a market analysis, apply for a patent and trademark, file an FDA application and acquire supplies to test and fabricate the electrodes.

Faraday Technology, Inc. – This Clayton (Montgomery County) company was awarded $157,475 for the commercialization of an advanced semiconductor wafer-processing tool, which contains the company’s patented electrochemical module. The funds will be used to support the final wafer processing tool design and construction, assess the intellectual property and market value of the technology, and purchase the equipment needed to build the next-generation wafer-processing tool.

Srico, Inc. – This Columbus (Franklin County) company will use its $174,797 grant to commercialize a chip-size optical component called a Frequency Converter or Optical Wavelength Conversion Device. This component converts one frequency or wavelength to another frequency or wavelength. One application of the component is a remote sensing system for detecting harmful agents that may be released by terrorists. Other applications include optical switches, modulators, amplifiers, light sources and converters used in broadband optical communication networks. The grant will be used to secure patent protection, develop in-house manufacturing capability, perform marketing efforts and purchase equipment for manufacturing.

The 10-year, $1.1 billion Ohio Third Frontier Project is the state’s largest-ever commitment to expand Ohio’s high-tech research capabilities and promote start-up companies to create high-paying jobs for generations to come.